11/12/2025
Asclepias, commonly known as milkweed, is a fascinating genus of plants famous for its milky sap and crucial role in the life cycle of monarch butterflies. Milkweed contains natural compounds called cardenolides that make monarch caterpillars and butterflies toxic to predators. The plantās unique flowers feature intricate structures that rely on insects - often bees and butterflies - for pollination, with pollen transferred in special packets called pollinia. āMoby Dick,ā a poetic nickname sometimes used for milkweed due to its resilience and pale, milky appearance, captures the plantās quiet strength and mystery. Beyond its ecological importance, milkweed once served practical uses too, its silky fibers were used as pillow stuffing and even life jacket material during World War II.
